Travel just got a whole lot smarter, and your suitcase is leading the charge. Modern luggage isn’t just about wheels and zippers anymore – it’s packed with high-tech features that can track your belongings, charge your devices, and even follow you around the airport. From bags that weigh themselves to cases that light up inside, these innovations are changing how we pack, travel, and stay connected on the go.
1. Built-in E-ink Bag Tags
Forget fumbling with paper tags at the airport check-in counter. Modern suitcases like Rimowa’s Electronic Tag feature built-in e-ink displays that show your flight information directly on the case.
You simply check in through your phone app, and the tag updates automatically with a scannable barcode. Airlines can scan it just like traditional paper tags, but there’s no risk of it falling off or getting damaged.
Third-party options like BAGTAG work with most airlines and can be attached to any suitcase, making this futuristic feature accessible to everyone.
2. Airline-Compliant Removable Power Banks
Smart carry-ons solved the battery problem with ejectable power packs that pop out in seconds. When security asks you to remove the battery or you need to check your bag unexpectedly, you simply press a release button.
Away popularized this “ejectable battery” design, and now it’s become standard for smart luggage. The FAA has clear guidelines about these removable batteries, making them totally legal for air travel.
The battery itself usually features multiple USB ports and enough power to charge your phone several times during long layovers or delays.
3. Find My-Ready Tracker Housings
No more digging through packed clothes to find your AirTag when you need to locate your suitcase. Smart luggage brands like BÉIS now build dedicated pockets specifically sized for Apple AirTags.
The tracker sits securely in its own compartment, usually near the handle or on the side panel. This positioning ensures the best signal strength while keeping the tracker protected from damage.
When your bag goes missing, you can ping it through the Find My app without unpacking anything. It’s like having a built-in GPS system that works worldwide through Apple’s network.
4. Integrated Trackable TSA Locks
July’s revolutionary CaseSafe locks combine security with tracking by building a Find My tracker directly into the lock mechanism. Launched with Qantas, these locks stay perfectly aligned with your suitcase at all times.
Unlike separate trackers that might shift around, the lock-based tracker never moves from its position. TSA agents can still open it with their master keys when needed.
The tracker works with both Apple’s Find My network and Google Find My Device, so you can locate your locked suitcase no matter which phone system you use.
5. Handle-Based Weight Indicators
Avoid surprise overweight fees with handles that tell you exactly how much your bag weighs. BÉIS suitcases feature a simple indicator that turns red when you hit the 50-pound airline limit.
Heys SmartLuggage takes it further with a digital readout built right into the handle, plus a companion app that tracks your packing habits. You’ll know before you leave home whether you need to redistribute items.
The scale activates automatically when you lift the bag, giving you an instant reading without any buttons to press or separate devices to carry.
6. Auto-Follow Robot Suitcases
Yes, robot suitcases that follow you around actually exist and they’re surprisingly sophisticated. The Airwheel SR5 uses ultra-wideband technology and multiple sensors to track your movements hands-free.
The suitcase maintains a safe following distance and can navigate around obstacles, other travelers, and even moving walkways. If it loses track of you, it stops immediately and sends an alert to your phone.
While still uncommon in airports, these autonomous bags represent the future of effortless travel, especially helpful for people with mobility issues or those juggling multiple pieces of luggage.
7. Rideable Motorized Carry-Ons
Why walk when you can ride your luggage? Modobag created a sit-on carry-on with a built-in motor that reaches speeds up to 8 mph through long airport terminals.
The motorized suitcase includes USB charging ports for your devices and meets standard carry-on size requirements. A wireless remote controls speed and direction while you ride.
Though it looks futuristic, Modobag has been around for years and is completely real. It’s perfect for travelers with long layovers, mobility challenges, or anyone who wants to arrive at their gate in style.
8. Kinetic-Charging Wheels
The Rollogo Escape S turns every step into phone charging power by capturing energy from its spinning wheels. As you walk through the airport, the kinetic motion generates electricity that flows to a removable power bank.
The system works automatically – no switches or setup required. The faster you walk, the more power you generate, though even slow rolling produces usable energy.
While you won’t get a full phone charge from a short airport walk, longer journeys can provide meaningful power boosts. It’s especially useful for travelers who spend hours moving through large airports or train stations.
9. Smart TSA Locks with Phone Unlocking
Tiny keys are officially obsolete with smart locks like EgeeTouch that open through your smartphone app or NFC fob. The locks are fully TSA-approved, so security can still access them when needed.
Beyond keyless entry, these locks send proximity alerts if you walk away from your suitcase or if someone moves it without your permission. You’ll get an instant notification on your phone.
Some models even log who opens the lock and when, creating a security record of everyone who accesses your luggage throughout your journey.
10. Crowd-Network Tracking Without GPS Plans
Bluetooth trackers like AirTags and Tile devices tap into massive crowd-sourced networks to locate your luggage anywhere in the world. When your bag goes missing, nearby phones automatically and anonymously help track it.
Apple’s Find My network includes over a billion devices worldwide, while Tile and Pebblebee have their own tracking communities. You don’t need a cellular plan or GPS subscription.
Airlines misroute millions of bags annually, but crowd-network tracking can pinpoint your suitcase’s location even when the airline’s system shows it as “in transit” somewhere unknown.
11. LED-Lit Interiors for Easy Packing
Packing in dim hotel rooms just got easier with motion-activated LED strips inside smart suitcases. Brands like Samsara build lighting systems that automatically illuminate when you open the case.
The LEDs are positioned to eliminate shadows in corners where items typically get lost or forgotten. Battery life lasts for months of normal use before needing replacement.
Whether you’re packing before dawn for an early flight or searching for items in a poorly lit hotel room, the interior lighting makes everything visible and accessible instantly.
12. Solar-Topped Chargers That Ride Along
Solgaard’s Solarbank combines renewable energy with travel convenience through a solar-powered battery pack that docks directly with their luggage and backpacks. The solar panel trickle-charges the battery throughout your journey.
While you won’t get rapid charging from solar alone, long outdoor layovers or sunny travel days can provide meaningful power boosts. The battery also charges normally through wall outlets.
The solar panel doubles as a protective cover for the battery and stays securely attached to your luggage, so you’re always generating clean energy while traveling.
13. Built-in USB-C Fast Charging Systems
Premium carry-ons from brands like Arlo Skye include removable Power Delivery batteries that charge modern phones at maximum speed through USB-C ports. Gone are the days of slow, overnight charging.
The batteries are airline-friendly and easily removable for security screening or when checking bags. Multiple ports let you charge several devices simultaneously at full speed.
Power Delivery technology means your laptop, tablet, and phone all charge at their optimal rates, not the slow speeds of older USB-A ports found in basic smart luggage.
14. Wheel Brake Switches for Stability
AER’s Carry-On features an ingenious wheel-braking system that stops your bag from rolling away on sloped floors, moving trains, or windy outdoor areas. A simple switch locks the wheels in place.
The brake mechanism is built into the wheel assembly and doesn’t add bulk or weight to the suitcase. It’s completely manual – no batteries or electronics required.
This simple but clever feature prevents countless frustrating moments when your bag rolls away while you’re distracted with tickets, documents, or other luggage in busy terminals.
15. Puncture-Resistant Security Zippers
Standard zippers can be opened with a ballpoint pen in seconds, but YKK’s RCW double-coil zippers resist this common theft technique. The special interlocking design prevents unauthorized access.
Look for “RCW” on luggage specification sheets to identify bags with these security zippers. They operate normally with the zipper pull but resist forced entry attempts.
While no zipper is completely theft-proof, RCW zippers significantly increase security without adding weight, bulk, or complexity to your luggage. They’re especially valuable for checked bags that leave your sight.
16. Compression Shelving Dresser Systems
Solgaard’s Carry-On Closet transforms chaotic packing with a pull-out, compressible shelf system that works like portable dresser drawers. You can live out of organized compartments instead of digging through piles.
The shelves compress flat for maximum packing space but expand to create separate sections for different clothing types. Everything stays organized even when the bag gets tossed around.
Hotel room unpacking becomes unnecessary – just pull out the shelf system and access your clothes like they’re in a dresser drawer, keeping everything neat throughout your trip.
17. Separation and Proximity Alarms
Smart locks and bags from Heys SmartLuggage and AirBolt send instant phone notifications if you walk away from your suitcase or if someone moves it without permission. The alerts help prevent theft and forgetfulness.
You can set custom distances for the proximity alerts – closer ranges for crowded areas, wider ranges for open spaces. The system learns your movement patterns over time.
The feature is especially valuable in busy airports, train stations, or hotels where bags can easily be grabbed by mistake or intentionally stolen while you’re distracted.
18. App-Controlled Remote Locking
Lock and unlock your suitcase’s integrated TSA lock remotely through smartphone apps – perfect when travel partners need quick access to shared luggage. Heys SmartLuggage pioneered this convenient feature.
The app maintains a log of all lock and unlock events, so you know exactly when and how your luggage was accessed throughout your journey.
Remote locking is especially useful for family travel, business trips where colleagues share equipment, or any situation where multiple people need secure access to the same luggage without physical key sharing.
19. Optimized Tech Compartments for Tracking
Beyond simple pockets, advanced luggage brands create dedicated, secure housings specifically engineered for optimal tracker signal strength. Samsara’s Tag Smart bay is designed exclusively for Apple’s Find My network.
The compartment positioning, materials, and internal structure maximize radio signal transmission while protecting the tracker from damage. It’s like having a custom-built antenna for your AirTag.
Poor tracker placement can significantly reduce location accuracy and battery life, but these purpose-built compartments ensure your tracking device performs at peak efficiency throughout your travels.
20. Universal Paperless Bag Tags
Don’t want to buy expensive Rimowa luggage but still want electronic bag tags? Universal e-ink tags like BAGTAG stick onto any existing suitcase and work with growing numbers of airlines worldwide.
The tags connect to your phone via Bluetooth and display the same scannable information as built-in electronic tags. You skip both the airport kiosk and the paper printing steps entirely.
Installation takes minutes with strong adhesive backing, and the e-ink display lasts for months on a single charge while remaining clearly readable in any lighting conditions, even bright sunlight.
